Scientists discover 'female Viagra'

The first chemical aphrodisiac for women has been discovered.

Experts believe it could be the female equivalent of Viagra.

Researchers at Concordia University in Montreal found female rats flirted more when injected with the drug, a synthetic hormone called PT-141.

"Females treated with the highest dose of PT-141 also attempted to mount the males," said Professor James Pfaus.

In rats, this is considered a sign of sexual impatience.

"Obviously humans are going to do it a little bit differently. We may express it in our own very typically human way, but the neurochemical underpinning of that is probably very similar between the species," said Professor Pfaus.

Researchers now plan to develop a nasal spray version of the drug which they can test on women. About 30 per cent of North American and European women suffer sexual desire disorders.

"Right now, there's nothing in the arsenal for women to treat a desire disorder," said Professor Pfaus.

He added: "This is the first step in really trying to understand sexual desire in the brain."

Experts believe PT-141 may also be safer than current impotence drugs because it does not affect the blood vessels.